Churchdown School Academy - November Newsletter

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Churchdown School Academy - November Newsletter

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ISSUE
NOVEMBER
02
Churchdown School Academy
DRAMA
Rehearsals for the ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ are well underway, with performances on Wednesday 3rd December & Thursday 4 December at 7pm in the school hall. Tickets will be available from Mrs Ireland in the library.
Winston Road Churchdown Gloucester GL3 2RB 01452 713440 churchdownschool.com
MESSAGE FROM THE HEADTEACHER
Dear Parents and Carers After a successful first half-term we have hit the ground running with many positive things to be proud of at school. The students and staff have returned full of energy and motivation ready for another busy term. Last term I spoke continually about the need for consistency and hard work and I was so pleased that the vast majority of our students and families adapted so well to the change of leadership and some of the things we now do at school. I am proud that this has continued and it is a pleasure to walk around the school each day to see so much quality teaching and learning taking place. This term is going to be busy with Parents’ Evenings, ISMs, the school production and mock exams for Year 11. We supported Children in Need on Friday 14th November and this was another successful day for a very worthwhile charity. All of these things mean that your child is likely to be tired, but keep sending them in ready for school and we will do our best each day to look after them whilst providing a quality experience. In order to further improve our communications between school and home we are updating a number of systems. Part of the update requires you to send in your contact details so that we keep you informed via email and text messaging. A proforma and letter is being sent home with your child’s ISM and we would be grateful if you could return it asap. Finally I would again like to thank you for supporting us each day as this really is making a positive difference to the school. As I have said many times before, the job becomes far more difficult without you, and your child certainly needs the message we give, reiterated at home, if they are going to increase their chances of being successful. Regards
Drama Trips this term:
Thursday 6 November Year 9 and 10 to see 'The Woman in Black' at the Everyman Theatre Wednesday 19 November Year 7 and 8 to see 'Shrek the Musical' at the Oxford New Theatre Wednesday 26 November Year 12 and 13 to the Shakespeare Globe, London followed by a performance of the Greek tragedy 'Electra' at the Old Vic Theatre.
Miss Hicks
Christopher Belli Headteacher

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PRAISE ASSEMBLY
Many awards were given out at our first praise assembly, but here are a few significant winners: Winning the Pizza Party for the best attendance in Term 1 = 7B Winning the Doughnut Party for the most reward points in Term 1 = 7R Congratulations to the following students who had the most reward points overall in Year 7: Rachel Pepperell – 64 points Nathan Drew – 53 points A special mention to the following students who achieved 50 reward points: Duncan Bisset, Lexie Nash, Hannah Elwin, Daniel Smith, Milly Chant, Bethan Ashurst, Jessica Money and Brandan Vance We also had 109 pupils who had 98%+ attendance in Term 1 As you can see we had quite a celebration, and I cannot wait to see who will be recognised for their work at the end of Term 2. I have to say though that all Year 7 students should be really proud of themselves for a very successful Term 1, and I hope that drive to succeed and impress continues into Term 2 and the rest of the year.
Mrs Kentish Head of Year 7
YEAR 7 NEWS
A STEM Club Activity Session
A Let’s Get Cooking Club
Year 7 celebrated the end of Term 1 with a fantastic praise assembly that saw so many students being recognised by their staff for outstanding work and effort in all subject areas. Here are examples of all the wonderful events / activities Year 7 have been involved in, in the short time they have been here.
Creating dramatic bullying scenes in Drama Being Greek gods in English
Representing Year 7 in Cross Country
Representing Year 7 in the Churchdown rugby tournament

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UNIFORM AT CHURCHDOWN SCHOOL
I would like to congratulate the pupils on how smart they are looking in school every single day. There is certainly a very professional feel about the way Churchdown School pupils are presenting themselves and this is playing its part in seeing these pupils arriving to their lessons ready to learn. I would also like to thank all parents for their continued support of our aim to see all members of our school community looking and feeling smart, professional and proud of our school. The plethora of comments from parents visiting the school, and indeed from the local community, adds to the impact our pupils are having. Can I take the opportunity to remind any pupil and parent to contact the school if they are unsure of any expectations with regards to haircuts, which should not be lower than a Grade 2, nor be considered by the school as an “extreme” style. Thank you for your continued support.
Mr Horton Deputy Head)
SCIENCE CLUB AIMS HIGH AND HITS THE CEILING
With Mr Line’s permission, a science club has been set up this year for Year 7 students… and it’s proving to be very popular: “Awesome! We are wearing white lab coats. Now we are real scientists!” said a pupil on his first visit to the Science Club. Unfortunately, wearing a lab coat does not make you a scientist, a doctor or a butcher. In many students’ eyes, these club sessions are their dream science lessons. There is the occasional explosion and not much writing is required, but students do need to learn here. In previous club sessions, we dissected a heart. We also changed the colour of flames and made sparklers. Up until the last session, the students’ favourite had been a “magic trick” in which two water-like liquids were mixed together and suddenly turned black. However, this was surpassed this week by pupils making an eruption of foam which squirted out of a large coke bottle. This was followed by a bit of chemical “wizardry” by the teacher who produced such a powerful jet of foam that it hit the ceiling. Chemistry is like cooking, but never lick the spoon! All of us at the Science Club would like to thank to Mrs Grinnell, the lab assistant, for her big part in running the Tuesday sessions.
Mrs Trowbridge

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THE PRAISE WALL
The Praise Wall was a huge success last year, and acts as a very visual display of all the things being done well at school. All staff are invited to pin a note up on the board to recognise anything good: actions, behaviours, attitudes or anything else. Pupils love to see their name in lights, and staff are delighted to be able to express their gratitude and thanks in such a simple but effective manner. There have been some very notable comments so far this year, for example Harry Huntley in 8M has been recognised for making a sensational start in RE and Mrs Kelly has been very pleased with the effort shown in homework tasks by Kamea-Jade Bennett, Hollie Owen and Katie Boyle. When you are next in school, be sure to have a look at the Praise Wall and see all the amazing work our pupils do each and every day. We are very proud of them and their achievements.
Mr Chambers R.E and Learning Power Co-ordinator
YEAR 8 NEWS
At the end of last term, Year 8 had their first praise assembly. What was noticeable was the vast number of differing teachers who were anxious to nominate your children, our students, for recognition. There was a wide variety of scope in the names suggested and I would urge each and every student to strive to get their names pushed forward by their subject teacher for a positive reason. Although the numbers were huge, the following deserve recognition for receiving over 50 reward points: Josh Leighton, Niamh Walker, Tyler Campbell, Jade Burruth, Erica Ebanks, Daniel Hunter, Kabir Okunnu, Ellie Toy, Kamea-Jade Bennett, Ed Blackburn, Joy Brixey, Joshua Casey, Cameron Murdoch, Zach Neocleous, Hollie Owen, Hannah Schneider, Matthew Sayers, Losana Tutora and Bryoni White. Also tutor groups 8B deserve great credit for their attendance and 8W for their accumulation of reward points. Achievements Evening, based around the theme of “Back to the Future”, was another opportunity to reward endeavour and effort and the event was beautifully produced and executed. Year 8 have had assemblies about the importance of striving for success, for the potential that every human being has and how it is vital to make the right decisions. These themes were very evident at the Year 8 Information Evening, where success was acknowledged and the vision for how working in partnership can strive to make Churchdown School as good a school as possible for your children. If we can get standards right in Year 8 then by the time the challenges of GCSE and beyond surface our students should be well equipped. Finally, it remains a real pleasure to witness the good work and determination that is occurring in classrooms, science labs and across the school generally by this very good year group. From strong foundations we must look to build a great future.
Mr Fawcett Head of Year 8
PSHCEE
Year 8 were privileged to watch a performance of ‘Chelsea’s Choice’ by the Alter Ego Theatre Company as part of their PSHCEE programme. Based on a true story, the play deals with all aspects of child sexual exploitation, and contains valuable lessons on how to avoid being caught in the same type of situation as Chelsea. The pupils watched with bated breath as they waited to see what would befall Chelsea next. As Chelsea’s final predicament was made clear, total silence was observed, followed by huge applause for the four actors involved.
Mr Burchell PSHCEE

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GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP
WET WET WET
The week leading up to the Year 8 fieldtrip had been lovely. The week immediately afterwards was pretty good too. The week commencing 13 October was one of the wettest I can remember. That was the week of our annual Year 8 Geography fieldtrip to the Forest of Dean. Field work is an essential part of studies in Geography. It is fantastic to be able to take students out into the open air and actually see what we are talking about in the classroom. We visit two sites; Beechenhurst to study the impact of tourism (and to gather information for an assessed task) and Blackpool Brook at Wenchford to measure meander cross sections. Results that are also needed for work back in the classroom. Due to the sheer amount of rainfall between Monday and Thursday we managed to record some of the best results ever. The quality of the results is also a reflection of the conduct of our students who followed instructions, behaved very well and worked with good humour each day. Thanks are due to Year 8 for taking part, parents who bought wellies and provided packed lunches, Sue Seabrook also for the provision of packed lunches and staff who covered myself, Mr Carter and Miss Chattoe while we were on the trip.
Mr Adcock

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These students earned more than 50 reward points in the term:
GALLING-IRELAND, Ellie HALL, Adam JACKSON, Courtney KURSUN, Neslisah APOSTOLAKIS, Vasileios 9S 9R 9M 9J 9W 9R 9B 9M 9T 9J 9S 9T 9T 9T 9J 9J 9W 9W 9M 9T
YEAR 9 NEWS
ATTENDANCE
The tutor group with the best attendance figures during September and October was 9B with their highest being 99.26% for the week ending 6th October.
PROSSER, Callam DREW, Callum HITCHMAN, Rose BISSET, Donald FRANCIS, John MILLER, Cody
SPORTING SUCCESS
Rhys Price of 9W is Welsh Dry Slope Ski Champion for his age group. Rhys travelled to Dublin to take part in the European Championship, coming 3rd overall in the competition. Joe Meadows of 9S is a member of a boxing club and won his first bout. Charlotte Leeman of 9S has been selected to represent the Gloucester District Netball Team. Congratulations people! The effort is earning reward.
Mr Wyman Head of Year 9
JEBB, Sophie JONES, Benjamin CARPENTER, Jack BARTER, Jack FOSTER, Charlie LANCASTER, Ellie SHARP, Liberty PHELPS WOOD, Sarah LOVELL, James
YEAR 9 RUGBY AND NETBALL TEAMS

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YEAR 11 NEWS
After a hectic start to the new school year with many changes, Year 11 are now into their second term of their final compulsory academic year! With only 21 school weeks left until the first GCSE exam, students are at a stage where every moment counts, with the ultimate aim for each and every pupil to reach their potential and achieve their aspirational target grades. Subject teachers will be challenging pupils to raise the bar over the coming months and many interventions will be put in place to support the year group. I have challenged the students to ask themselves ‘how can they influence or improve the situation they are in’ and stated ‘if you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse’. The support will be there for every student in Year 11, but the students must buy into this to ensure they maximise their GCSE year. In order to support students, subject catch up sessions will run as the tables opposite show. The underlined subjects will take priority if there is a clash between subjects during that session. Many of the year groups’ attendance has been outstanding, but unfortunately the overall attendance figures stand at 92.95%. Attendance is vital to the success of our pupils with research suggesting, 90% attendance not only means ½ day off per week, but 4 weeks and 20 days per school year! Research suggests that 17 missed school days a year = a GCSE grade DROP in achievement. It is vital that our pupils and YOUR child attend to ensure that they can fulfil their potential. Can I leave you with this… 80% of success is showing up (Woody Allen)
Mr Jones Head of Year 11
CALLING ALL YEAR 11S!
Following Year 11 News is a sneak preview of our 6th Form offer for you for 2015. We are confident there are courses here for every-body - whatever their future plans, ability or preferences. More information will be made available during our 6th Form Open Evening which will take place on Wednesday 10 December. Start talking to your teachers now to find out what they think would suit you; remember, they know your strengths in the subjects better than anybody.....

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MEDIA
Media students had a dramatic end of term last month, with a serious blood making and wound workshop. It’s amazing the effects you can produce on camera using peanut butter, red food colouring and washing up liquid! We made sure we’d covered this workshop well in time for Hallowe’en, so students could put their new skills into action over the holiday. Year 11 have been extremely busy completing coursework and preparing for their final exam topic – TV news, and Year 10 students have produced some stunning work on storyboards and movie planning. Year 12 are starting to plan their horror opening title sequence and Year 13 are currently filming their horror trailers. Ideas this year range from voodoo to demons to secret killer policeman – the diversity of projects continues and we anxiously await the outcomes….
6th FORM NEWS
Congratulations to Morgan Chappell and Kyran Ridley, who have been awarded the most cause for praise letters this term. Well done for all your hard work! Students are now well-settled and embracing 6th Form life. Year 13 need to remember to sign in with the librarian for their independent study lessons which are all fully timetabled. Applications to university via UCAS should be in full swing by now. Students are reminded to attend the Friday registration sessions run by Mrs Belinfante to help support students with the process. All applications must be made by Christmas. Congratulations to Alex Ferrari, Morgan Chappell and Tim Mock who are our most recently voted in members of the school Parliament from Year 12. We had a particularly impressive assembly this term led by our very own 6th Form tutor Mr Boon, who completed the hardest Iron Man challenge in the world during Term 1. Don’t ever mess with Mr Boon! I would like to thank all those incredible 6th Formers who lead and presented Achievements Evening and made it such a success (see separate article). The 6th Form had a great celebratory end of term event on the ghost walk – congratulations to Nathan Evans and Sam Dix for being the primary organisers of a hilarious event which basically involved a tour of the school by night with all the school’s ghost stories recounted and some surprises along the way….. We trialled the event with a brave group of Year 9 students to see if it would be suitable for a wider whole school fund-raising experience – and have decided it’s not! But thanks to those brave Year 9 students who were our guinea pigs. Keep up the hard work 6th Form – remember, we can’t create time, only MANAGE it well…
Ms Wisbey Head of Sixth Form and Media Studies

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ACHIEVEMENTS EVENING 2014
Last term we held our annual prestigious Achievements Evening 2014. Over 1000 people attended over the two evenings and as usual it was a real “feel-good” event. We decided to go with the theme of ‘Back to the Future’ this year; we felt this to be very fitting as we were celebrating the school’s 60th anniversary. Also, with the departure of some long standing members of staff and four people from the Senior Leadership team, we felt it represented us moving into a new era under the leadership of Mr Belli and a fresh team. Emily Poole Year 13 (Marty) and Jordan Smith Year 10 (the Doc) did a great job of keeping the audience entertained, and Molly Geddes (Year 13), Matthew Say (Year 12), Jade Harrison (Year 12), Solomon Harrison (Year 13) and Harrison Curtis (Year 13) were fabulous glamorous presenters who anchored the event. In fact, the whole event was organised backstage by 6th Formers, from the lighting, to the music and the set changes. Well done Cameron Billingham who didn’t have a clue how to organise a lighting rig prior to the event, Will Austin for leading his technical crew; Jamie Nash, Connor Dokic, Charlie Morris, Jacob Elwin, Ben Long, Nathan Laidlow, and Coby Andrews.

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ACHIEVEMENTS EVENING
BUSY IN BUSINESS!
The 6th form Business students had a great day out to London at the end of the Summer term. The day included a tour of the Bank of England Museum; where the group discovered that controlling interest rates aren’t as easy as you think and a gold bar is actually very heavy! The group also enjoyed a trip to see the iconic Gherkin and Lloyds of London buildings, a tour of the Olympic Park, followed by some retail therapy at Westfield Shopping Centre and Oxford Street. All in all it was an interesting, busy but very fun day!
Mrs Khaira Head of Business Studies
Well done to Lizzie Willetts for painting our giant sign for the set, Ryan Chevannes for managing props, Leila John and Alex Ferrari our resident cinematographers. Our amazing dance through time routine was fittingly made up of students of all ages, from two young Year 6 applicants from local primary school hoping to secure a place at Churchdown in September, to Matt Lavis who has just left the 6th Form to do Dance at university; also Katie Davis 7T, Katie Mann 7R, Javene Campbell 7T, Daisy Williams, Megan Bence 7T, Amy Lawman 8J, Jessica Lloyd 8T, Milie Medcroft 8M, Molly Hornby 8M, Romy Bundett 9S, Georgina Matthews (Year 13) and Beckie Smith (Year 11) Thanks to our band who rocked the opening – Joe Pratt-Flynn (Year 13), Sam Dix (Year 13), and Kai Phillips (Year 11). Asena Tutora (Year 11) also sang in the show’s opening and closing song, very fittingly, One Moment in Time, with amazing newly-discovered talent Laura Vucetic (Year 10). Many thanks also to Robert Lansley, Morgan Chappell, Laura Rust, all from Year 12, who put in some great cameo appearances as some well-known ex-members of staff. We would like to thank all the students, parents and staff that came along and made the event so successful. Wait ‘till you see what we have lined up for you next year…..
Ms Wisbey Head of Sixth Form and Media Studies